israel

Archaeologists have discovered a rare 1,400-year-old limestone mold at Hyrcania in the Judean Desert that was used to manufacture small devotional flasks for Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. The remarkable find, featuring an elaborate cross and Greek inscription reading "Lord's blessing from the holy places," provides tangible evidence of a thriving Byzantine-era pilgrimage tourism industry that flourished during the 6th and 7th centuries AD. This discovery marks a significant moment in understanding how ancient travelers sought physical mementos of their sacred journeys, much like modern tourists collect souvenirs today, reports the Times of Israel. The mold was uncovered during the third season of excavations at Hyrcania, a remote desert fortress monastery that has yielded numerous treasures revealing the site's